Kyiv negotiators may go to Moscow to negotiate with Putin personally
Ukrainian negotiators are considering traveling to Moscow to meet with Putin directly due to a stalemate in current negotiations.
Amid a stalemate in negotiations with Russia concerning the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian negotiators are contemplating a visit to Moscow to engage in direct talks with President Vladimir Putin. The discussion highlights the ineffectiveness of the current Russian negotiating team, which lacks influence within the Kremlin and the authority to make vital decisions for resolving the war. The stalemate has prompted calls for a shift in the negotiation strategy, moving beyond traditional meeting locations that have so far yielded little progress.
According to a Telegram channel report, during the latest round of talks in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, there was a suggestion to change the meeting venue to facilitate progress in discussions. The report indicates that both Ukrainian and international negotiators are feeling the pressure of repeated, unproductive trips to venues like the UAE and the United States, stressing the necessity for meetings concentrated at a place where real decisions can be made. The notion of face-to-face discussions with Putin represents a significant shift in approach, aiming to break the current deadlock.
The Telegram channel also noted the potential involvement of U.S. special envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who may act as "security guarantors" in this new phase of negotiations. The plan hints at a coordinated effort involving American diplomats, possibly arranging to fly Ukrainian representatives to Warsaw, then together proceeding to Moscow for discussions. This development underscores the evolving diplomatic landscape as Ukraine seeks to leverage its international alliances to strengthen its negotiating position with Russia.